It seems like you built up a large list of works before you got published, considering the time it took before that first deal. Once you were published and had the opportunity to pitch for future projects, did you go back to those older manuscripts and try to bring some of them into the light, or did you move forward and continue working from scratch? Or perhaps a mix of both?

Jean wrote: I've been playing with Liquid Story Binder for a couple of weeks. I'm slow to learn new software, but I'm still interested in what this program has to offer.

Have you blogged about it, Jean? Me and all the other nosy people would love to hear more on how it's worked for you.

Tempest wrote: I wish I could learn to use one of those writing software. I downloaded yWriter, which is free. It looks good, but sheeshh... I need time to get used to writing using one of these software.

When I started using Dragon Naturally Speaking, I set aside some time every specifically to work on learning the program and practicing my speech. It was a little like going back to school, and got pretty dreary after the fun factor wore off, but I'm glad I did. I think I would have given up on the program if I hadn't.

JulieB wrote: This is the first week in months that I missed the Friday 20, but I wanted to wish you a belated congratulations and Happy Mother's Day. What a nice story to start my week!

Thank you, ma'am, I appreciate it. Btw, we take roll call on Fridays now and will need a signed absenteee note or it's detention for you. Lol.

Josh wrote: A question unrelated to today's post content, if you have the time.

Usually we do Q&A here on Fridays, but dinner isn't burning yet, so no problem.

It seems like you built up a large list of works before you got published, considering the time it took before that first deal. Once you were published and had the opportunity to pitch for future projects, did you go back to those older manuscripts and try to bring some of them into the light, or did you move forward and continue working from scratch? Or perhaps a mix of both?

After I got my first offer, the only novel I sold out of my inventory was StarDoc book #3, which was about half finished at the time I sold #1 and #2. I pitched several others, but nothing I had already written sold.

I have sold some partials I wrote before I was published. In 2003 I reworked a 1998 proposal for three dark fantasy novels, of which I had written about 100 ms. pages (not counting the original short stories that inspired them), and sold those as the first three Darkyn books.

I've turned a few of the old unsold manuscripts into free e-books or promotional CDs, but the majority are still gathering dust and silverfish. I'm not a trunk-book lover; I prefer to write new versus rehash something that didn't interest the editors I pitched.

This is not to say you shouldn't repitch a trunk book. If you've got something you believe in but there seems to be no market for it, you may want to wait to see if one develops. That's basically what happens with my Darkyn books.